Thursday, January 21, 2010

2:23 PM

The Senate on a 32-1 vote passed a jobs creation package today even though Republicans trashed the proposal prior to the vote as too little, too late.

SB 409, dubbed the CORE Jobs Act, includes a postsecondary education tax credit for businesses, higher annual limits on angel investment tax credits and a host of other provisions. The only senator to vote against the package was Sen. Glenn Grothman, R-West Bend.

Sen. Julie Lassa, an author of the bill, said businesses from across the country are looking to locate in Wisconsin because of incentive programs like those included in the bill. And legislators in other states have inquired about the bill looking to emulate it.

"They are looking to replicate the success we've had in terms of getting that entrepreneurial spirit together," she said.

But Republicans said it doesn't go nearly far enough to cover for the damage done by tax increases passed by the Dem-controlled Legislature.

Sen. Ted Kanavas, R-Brookfield, said Democrats have "dumped a load of gravel on Wisconsin businesses" during this legislative session.

"What we're going to do today is take off one shovelful of that load of gravel," Kanavas said.

Senate Minority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Horicon, said it's no surprise that Republicans voted for the bill because Democrats "pirated" many provisions from Republican ideas.

Sen. John Lehman, D-Racine, said the business environment isn't as dire as Republicans paint it, citing a new business that recently decided to locate in his district. Offering negative assessments of the state will do nothing to spur job growth, he said.

"Do you think the fear and loathing in those comments gets you votes?" he asked.

CORRECTION: Please note the item has been updated to correct Sen. Kanavas quote.